This particular type of breathing practice can help to stimulate the vagus nerve, which is an important nerve in the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of our nervous system that governs relaxation. In this diaphragmatic breathing practice, you are invited to breathe in such a way as to create movement in your abdomen. You are also invited to slow down the duration of your exhaling breath. Controlled breathing practices can be agitating to the nervous systems of some, while for others it can be deeply soothing. If trying the breathing practice in part 1 did not feel comfortable, this practice might not either. As always, you are invited to take good care of yourself and to skip or stop any practices that don’t feel comfortable to you for any reason.